I was honored to to have a visit from a delegation from Project Bazia, a student run program from Portland High School that seeks to integrate young African immigrants into American culture. The four students in the photo (all asylum seekers from Burundi and Rwanda) are: Benjamin, Steevan, Daniel, and Rita. I am also joined by Ann Smith, on the left, the project administrator, Ralph Carmona, who also works with the group, and my colleague, Rep. Craig Hickman, of Winthrop. The students were in Augusta to learn both about the legislative process, and to make the case for programs that help new immigrants, including Portland's Welcome Center, which helps new immigrants integrate into the workforce.

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Erik C. Jorgensen represents Maine House District 41 - Part of Portland. This blog represents his own opinions and not those of the Maine Legislature, Maine Democrats, or anyone else. To read more about me, click here